Occupational health and safety

The need for a gender perspective

Every year, more than two million workers throughout the world die as a result of work-related accidents and illnesses, and the numbers are increasing.

However, because of an unequal distribution across occupations and sectors, there are certain professions where there are more women workers, and these expose them to different types of risks compared to the sectors where there are more men and which have a different impact on health.This is why whenever we speak of occupational health and safety, we must always remember to consider the gender perspective.

On the other hand, health policies that target the working population in general do not necessarily fully benefit women to the extent that they are not only workers, but at the same time they are also mothers, wives and in many cases also the head of the family.

Health risks to which women workers are exposed

The type of work women perform, which differs from that of men, as well as the different roles imposed on women by society, means that they have to cope with the dual burden of domestic and professional work. This has direct repercussions on their health.

Risks associated with a particular type of work

Risks associated with gender roles

Feminized sectors

Repetitive movements, awkward postures, monotonous work

Double work burden, discrimination, violence, sexual harassment

It is also true that women are much more frequently the victims of sexual harassment, violence at the workplace and at home, and occupational discrimination which has negative effects on their health.
Lastly, women – as a result of their biological role – are particularly affected by labour conditions during pregnancy and breast-feeding because this can have a lasting effect on their health as mothers and on the health of their unborn children.

Occupational segregation

Although an increasing number of women are joining the labour market, they continue to be underrepresented in certain occupations and sectors.

In the services sector, there are more women employed in health-related activities (hospitals, care for the elderly, etc.), primary and pre-school education, administrative work, banks, commerce and hotels.

In the manufacturing industries, there are more women employed in textile manufacturing, micro electronics, food and pharmaceuticals.

A significant number of women work in the informal sector and/or are underemployed.

Women also have fewer opportunities when it comes to finding decent work, and as a result they end up having to accept monotonous jobs with long working hours and precarious employment conditions, without access to basic health and safety services.

Occupational segregation has a particularly strong impact as it exposes women to certain risks as a result of their working conditions. These risks are responsible for specific health complaints.